Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
Key Takeaways
- An economics major at a liberal arts college will acquire a comprehensive education covering how people behave and how economic forces are related.
- Econ majors in liberal arts colleges will be better equipped with the skills and knowledge valuable to today’s employers.
- The smallest liberal arts college for an economics major is Claremont Mckenna College, while the biggest is Bucknell University.
Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Economics Programs in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
The United States Military Academy gained 8 positions to move up to the number 4 position in our 2025 ranking of the Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics degrees. Oberlin College was also our biggest mover, gaining 10 positions to move into the 7th position.
The US Military Academy has added new courses that focus on data analytics, financial markets, and the global economy, offering cadets a more comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical economics.
Oberlin College has made several improvements to its economics program for the 2025 school year. The department has introduced new courses focusing on sustainability and environmental economics, reflecting a growing interest in the intersection of economics and climate change.
Featured Programs
What’s An Economics Degree Worth?
One of those technical, mathematically oriented fields of study that always surprises people for being a particularly strong fit for liberal arts colleges is economics. Some people don’t realize how a liberal arts background contributes to an economist’s success.
You can view and analyze the world and its economies and the actions of people and organizations within them through a new and more potent lens if you study economics in a liberal arts college.
Significant Benefits of Studying Economics at Liberal Arts Colleges
You’ll have the best of both worlds
You will have more personalized attention and be equipped with skills and knowledge valuable in today’s job market.
A research university, whether public or private, will typically emphasize empirical economics, econometrics, forecasting, and fields where economics and financial markets intersect.
In contrast, an economics major at a liberal arts college will expose you to various topics by mixing several areas of study with your core courses. This encourages you to think critically and develop novel solutions, which are talents that top companies highly appreciate.
As an economics major with a liberal arts education background, you’ll be able to:
- Have the ability to explore environmental economics firsthand and learn how it relates to your experiences.
- Have the ability to step back to consider how the larger economy and business connect all individual lives.
- Have a better foundation in mathematics, writing and composition, and humanities and social studies.
You learn from excellent professors
An economics degree is not as easy as you think, especially if you’re starting to explore the subject. You’ll need as much attention and guidance as you can get from your faculty advisor.
Many courses are taught by teaching assistants at larger colleges, who are often graduate students with little prior teaching experience.
Classes in liberal arts colleges frequently have fewer students because the size of the schools is smaller. Each class is typically taught by a professor, which gives them a chance to spend more time getting to know their students, reviewing, and critiquing their work in much greater detail, and acting as mentors. These benefits will help you prepare for grad school.
You can thoroughly prepare for your career
Liberal arts college teaches you more than just the current social issues, quantitative economics, macroeconomics, political science, and other core parts of an econ major. Economics majors at liberal arts colleges develop strong communication and critical-thinking skills thanks to the breadth of disciplines they study, equipping them with a range of skills for the rest of their careers.
This prepares graduates for occupations that are in demand today and careers that do not yet exist. They also develop excellent interpersonal skills by collaborating with their teachers on research and small group projects.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #1 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Connecticut 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2025
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Connecticut 2024
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Connecticut 2024
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #6 Best Colleges and Universities for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $67,016Expenses: $21,704Starting Salary: $67,915Salary after 4 years: $89,448Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wesleyan University known for?
Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Psychology
- History
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Physics
- Education
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
Wesleyan University Economics Major
- Economics
- #3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #5 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #6 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #6 Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #7 Best Colleges and Universities for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
92%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Amherst College
Cost of Degree: $67,280Expenses: $20,360Starting Salary: $89,232Salary after 4 years: $117,524Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Amherst College known for?
Amherst College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Literature
- Law
- Political Science
- Education
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- History
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Amherst College Economics Major
- Economics
- #4 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #4 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #7 Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #8 Best Colleges and Universities for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #10 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Swarthmore College
Cost of Degree: $62,412Expenses: $21,691Starting Salary: $74,984Salary after 4 years: $98,759Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Swarthmore College known for?
Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Swarthmore College Economics Major
- Economics
- #5 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
88%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/30
What is United States Military Academy known for?
United States Military Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
West Point Economics Major
- Economics
- #5 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #6 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #8 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #8 Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #10 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #11 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
95%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1525/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Williams College
Cost of Degree: $64,860Expenses: $20,000Starting Salary: $96,194Salary after 4 years: $126,694Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Williams College known for?
Williams College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- Political Science
- History
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
Williams College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Political Economics
- #6 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #7 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts 2025
- #8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #9 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
23%
Graduation
89%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1445/32
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Smith College
Cost of Degree: $61,568Expenses: $24,462Starting Salary: $54,739Salary after 4 years: $72,094Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Smith College known for?
Smith College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Literature
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Education
- Political Science
- History
- Physics
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
Smith College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Quantitative Economics with STEM Designation
- #7 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #8 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2025
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024
- #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #4 Best Colleges in Ohio 2024
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
83%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1445/31
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Oberlin College
Cost of Degree: $64,646Expenses: $22,758Starting Salary: $48,740Salary after 4 years: $64,194Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Oberlin College known for?
Oberlin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Psychology
- History
- Physics
- Biology
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
Oberlin College Economics Major
- Economics Major and Minor
- #9 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #9 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #9 Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #10 Best Colleges and Universities for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #11 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
90%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Wellesley College
Cost of Degree: $64,320Expenses: $21,970Starting Salary: $76,913Salary after 4 years: $101,299Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wellesley College known for?
Wellesley College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Political Science
- Physics
- Education
- Economics
- History
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
Wellesley College Economics Major
- Economics
- #10 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #10 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
92%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Barnard College
Cost of Degree: $66,246Expenses: $23,562Starting Salary: $74,663Salary after 4 years: $98,336Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Barnard College known for?
Barnard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Economics
- Education
- Political Science
- History
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
Barnard College Economics Majors
- Economics (economics track)
- Economics (political economy track)
- Economics and Mathematics
- Economic and Social History
- Economics-Statistics
- 4+1 Economics and Operations Research
- #11 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #13 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2025
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #10 Best Colleges and Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
19%
Graduation
92%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1482/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Vassar College
Cost of Degree: $67,805Expenses: $19,665Starting Salary: $65,879Salary after 4 years: $86,767Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Vassar College known for?
Vassar College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Education
- Communications
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Philosophy
- History
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Vassar College Economics Major
- Economics
- #1 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #17 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #17 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Oregon 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon 2025
- #1 Best Private Colleges in Oregon 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Colleges in Oregon 2025
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
31%
Graduation
80%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1410/31
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Reed College
Cost of Degree: $67,020Expenses: $19,520Starting Salary: $56,453Salary after 4 years: $74,352Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Reed College known for?
Reed College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Physics
- Economics
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
Reed College Economics Majors
- Mathematics-Economics
- International and Comparative Policy Studies (ICPS)
- Environmental Studies-Economics (ES-Econ)
- #19 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #20 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #7 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025
- #9 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
91%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Haverford College
Cost of Degree: $68,020Expenses: $22,082Starting Salary: $80,448Salary after 4 years: $105,955Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Haverford College known for?
Haverford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Economics
- History
- Psychology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Haverford College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Economics – Mathematical Economics
- One-Year Master’s Program (4+1)
- #20 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #21 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in California 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Private Colleges in California 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Colleges and Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Colleges and Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #13 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Colleges and Universities for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
95%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Pomona College
Cost of Degree: $62,326Expenses: $22,974Starting Salary: $82,804Salary after 4 years: $109,058Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Pomona College known for?
Pomona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
Pomona College Economics Major
- Economics (STEM designated-degree program)
- #25 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025
Other Rankings
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Maine 2025
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
9%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Bowdoin College
Cost of Degree: $64,910Expenses: $20,190Starting Salary: $89,232Salary after 4 years: $117,524Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bowdoin College known for?
Bowdoin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- History
- Biology
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Education
- Mathematics
- Sociology
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
Bowdoin College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Mathematics and Economics
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Vermont 2025
- #3 Best Colleges in Vermont 2025
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #10 Best Colleges and Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
94%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1482/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Middlebury College
Cost of Degree: $65,280Expenses: $20,600Starting Salary: $77,020Salary after 4 years: $101,440Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Middlebury College known for?
Middlebury College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Political Science
- Education
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Sociology
- Physics
- History
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Middlebury College Economics Major
- Economics
- #7 Best Small Colleges in New York 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Other Rankings
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
91%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1470/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Colgate University
Cost of Degree: $67,024Expenses: $20,046Starting Salary: $86,875Salary after 4 years: $114,420Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Colgate University known for?
Colgate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Education
- History
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
Colgate University Economics Majors
- Economics
- Mathematical economics
- Environmental economics
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Colorado 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2025
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Colleges in Colorado 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
100%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1395/30
What is United States Air Force Academy known for?
United States Air Force Academy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Political Science
- History
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Law
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
United States Air Force Academy Economics Major
- Economics
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Minnesota 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Minnesota 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$63K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
91%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Carleton College
Cost of Degree: $65,457Expenses: $19,436Starting Salary: $72,735Salary after 4 years: $95,796Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Carleton College known for?
Carleton College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Literature
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Biology
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
Carleton College Economics Major
- Economics
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Ohio 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Ohio 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Ohio 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #14 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$66K
Acceptance
34%
Graduation
87%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1432/32
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Kenyon College
Cost of Degree: $69,330Expenses: $18,260Starting Salary: $58,381Salary after 4 years: $76,891Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Kenyon College known for?
Kenyon College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Kenyon College Economics Major
- Economics
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Colleges in Colorado 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
86%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Colorado College
Cost of Degree: $67,932Expenses: $19,196Starting Salary: $53,453Salary after 4 years: $70,401Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Colorado College known for?
Colorado College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- Sociology
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
Colorado College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Business Economics and Society (BESoc)
- Mathematical Economics
- International Political Economy
- #3 Best Private Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Maine 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
88%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Colby College
Cost of Degree: $66,600Expenses: $18,820Starting Salary: $76,056Salary after 4 years: $100,170Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Colby College known for?
Colby College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Sociology
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Physics
- Political Science
- Biology
- Education
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Colby College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Economics – Financial Markets
- #4 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2025 #2 Best Christian Colleges in North Carolina 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2025
- #5 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2025
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
92%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1425/32
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Davidson College
Cost of Degree: $60,050Expenses: $19,175Starting Salary: $76,163Salary after 4 years: $100,311Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Davidson College known for?
Davidson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Education
- Physics
- Anthropology
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Davidson College Economics Major
- AB Economics – STEM designated
- #5 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
33%
Graduation
87%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1390/31
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Bucknell University
Cost of Degree: $64,772Expenses: $19,018Starting Salary: $88,267Salary after 4 years: $116,254Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bucknell University known for?
Bucknell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Political Science
- History
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
Bucknell University Economics Major
- BA Economics
- #5 Best Small Colleges in California 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2025
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #12 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Colleges and Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
- #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Engineering Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Physics Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Chemistry Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Political Science Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
10%
Graduation
91%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Claremont McKenna College
Cost of Degree: $64,150Expenses: $22,350Starting Salary: $99,836Salary after 4 years: $131,491Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Claremont McKenna College known for?
Claremont McKenna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Literature
- Political Science
- Business
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Claremont McKenna College Economics Majors
- Economics
- Accounting
Career Outlook for Students with Economics Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolEconomics
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $12,136
- Avg. Expenses*: $18,134
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $48,072
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $63,272
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
- Job Growth: 2.90%
- Number of Jobs: 2,434,100
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Managers, All Other | 5.75% | $133,560 |
Economists | 5.14% | $115,730 |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 3.23% | $115,300 |
Data Scientists | 36.03% | $108,020 |
Statisticians | 11.73% | $104,110 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Managers, All Other | $133,560 |
Economists | $115,730 |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $115,300 |
Quick Statistics And Facts About The Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
Size and Location
Research universities tend to be far more extensive than liberal arts institutions, which frequently have less than 3,000 students. Many are located in towns essentially defined by the college itself, whether suburban or rural.
The least populated liberal arts colleges include:
- Claremont Mckenna College (1,420)
- Haverford College (1,435)
- Swarthmore College (1,689)
- Pomona College (1,747)
- Amherst College (1,970)
- Davidson College (1,973)
The largest liberal arts colleges student bodies include:
- Bucknell University (3,812)
- Colgate University (3,219)
- Colby College (2,200)
- Williams College (2,121)
- Bowdoin College (2,012)
Diversity
Occasionally, these campuses are less diverse than those of more prominent colleges. Students typically have more money and are also more liberal. Even if a liberal arts college is as diverse as its research university equivalent, it could feel less varied due to the fact that there are fewer students overall.
Five of the most diverse liberal arts colleges include:
- Pomona College
- Swarthmore College
- Amherst College
- Claremont McKenna College
- Haverford College
Class Bonding
These schools tend to be community-driven; therefore, shared experiences are emphasized. Most students share the same residence halls on campus. They attend the same classes taught by the same instructors, partake in the same customs, and have meals together.
This may sound similar to students who attended small high schools, especially boarding institutions, given the size and lack of diversity of the student bodies at liberal arts colleges.
An Economics Degree as a Starting Point for a Career
A bachelor’s degree in economics is an excellent starting point for a career in finance, policy development, marketing, and a host of other highly lucrative fields. As an economics major, you’ll study production, consumption, wealth transfer, and the way these activities relate to policy and governance. Your economics degree will also incorporate such core principles of monetary policy, budget planning, and cost analysis. The best schools for economics are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of economics concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.
Degree popularity: Economics bachelor’s degrees are the 35th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s most popular among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders men and women, for whom it ranks as the 17th most desired degree, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics
Frequently Asked Questions About Economics Bachelor’s Degrees
Earning a bachelor’s degree in economics can open numerous professional doors. You could work as an internal financial consultant for a big company, as a stock trade for a brokerage firm, or as an analyst for a government think tank. In fact, the skills and knowledge you’ll acquire in your degree program are highly transferable. This means that your understanding of concepts such as local market behavior, small business enterprising, and investment banking could land you a role in any sector that interests you. The best schools for economics will put you in a position to become a leader in an array of fast-paced and well-paying fields.
Today, top influencers in economics are illuminating topics such as new economic geography, information asymmetry theory, wealth and income inequality, and much more.
Back to TopEconomics is an excellent major because it can provide a pathway into countless fields and career opportunities. If you’re looking for a well-paying and secure job, an economics degree is a great place to start. Students who major in economics gain skills that are in high demand across a wide range of professional sectors. Abilities such as budget analysis, cost estimation, and market analysis make economics majors highly employable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of job opportunities for economists is expected to grow by a robust 14% by 2029.
Back to TopOnce you’ve declared your major in economics, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized economics electives, there are a number of common courses that most economics majors will be required to take, including:
- Principles of Economics
- Money and Banking
- Economics of Healthcare
- Globalization
- Econometrics
- Labor Studies
- Economics and the Developing Sphere
- Gender and Economy
- Financial Markets
- Sustainability and Development
Earning a degree in economics can qualify you for a number of well-paying jobs. Your specialized knowledge qualifies you to work in one of the better-paying professional fields. According to the BLS, financial analysts earned a median salary of $81,590 in 2019, while personal financial advisors earned $87,850, and economists pulled in $105,020.
With a degree in economics, you’ll have a chance to pursue an array of high-paying opportunities, including these top jobs:
- Economists
- Financial Analysts
- Budget Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Securities, Commodities and Financial Service Sales Agents
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
- Cost Estimators
Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges
In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.
Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.
Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.
Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.
- Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
- Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.
Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.
Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.
- Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.
- Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.
Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.
Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.
Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.
Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.
Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.
- Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.
- Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.
- The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.
Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.
If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.
Back to TopIf you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in economics.